Media: Spotify deletes thousands of AI-generated songs

The streaming platform Spotify deleted 7% of tracks created by the AI music startup Boomy, amounting to ‘tens of thousands’ of songs. The Financial Times reports this.

The removals occurred after streaming services began receiving complaints of fraud and disorder on platforms. According to FT sources, the music-industry giant Universal Music Group (UMG) warned streaming-service providers of ‘suspicious activity’ on Boomy tracks.

As a result, the platform removed AI-generated compositions due to suspicions of artificial inflation of streams via bots.

“Artificial streaming is a long-standing industry-wide problem, and Spotify is working to stamp it out in our service,” the company said.

Representatives of Boomy rejected the allegations and said they were ‘categorically opposed’ to any manipulation or boosting.

Universal Music Group chief executive Lucian Grainge told investors:

“The explosive growth of generative AI, if left unchecked, will increase the volume of unwanted content on platforms and create copyright problems.”

Earlier in April, UMG urged streaming services to remove music, created by AI.

The label also urged blocking access to its catalog for developers of generative algorithms.

In the same month, the singer Grimes backed AI-generated creativity. She also proposed a 50% royalty on ‘successful’ music created using her voice.

In May, the singer released software to imitate her voice.